Centre du droit de l'art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr
Kennewick Man – Bonnichsen v. United States
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/kennewick-man-2013-bonnichsen-v-united-states
The skeleton of a 9,000 year old man was discovered on Federal territory near the city of Kennewick, Washington. Authorities decided to grant the request of five American Indian tribes, and transferred the remains to those tribes for burial. Several scientists, including Robson Bonnichsen, opposed the return and filed suit in the District Court of Oregon. Finding that evidence was not sufficient to link the remains to any present-day American Indian tribe, the District Court vacated the authority’s decision and ordered further examination of the remains. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the order on appeal.No publisherRequest denied/rejet de la demandeOwnership/propriétéPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Judicial claim/action en justicePrivate person/personne privéeJudicial decision/décision judiciaireUnited States/États-UnisHuman remains/restes humains2013/07/29 13:35:00 GMT+1PageBanksy Mural – Bioresource, Inc. and 555 Nonprofit Studio/Gallery
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/banksy-mural-2013-bioresource-inc-and-555-nonprofit-studio-gallery
Artists from the 555 Nonprofit Studio/Gallery removed an endangered mural painting by the graffiti artist Banksy from a derelict site in Detroit. The owner of the site, Bioresource, Inc. subsequently filed suit with the Wayne County Circuit Court requesting the wall art’s restitution. The parties finally settled their dispute as the Company agreed to donate the mural to the Gallery, who paid the Company a symbolic amount.No publisherArtwork/oeuvre d’artDonationJudicial claim/action en justice555 Nonprofit Studio/GallerySettlement agreement/accord transactionnelSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueBioresource, Inc.Ownership/propriétéNegotiation/négociation2013/08/08 14:30:00 GMT+1PageTwo Bronze Animal Heads – China and Pierre Bergé
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/two-bronze-animal-heads-2013-china-and-pierre-berge
In February of 2009, Christie’s offered at auction two 18th-century bronze fountainheads – a rabbit and a rat – owned by the estate of Yves Saint Laurent and his longtime-partner Pierre Bergé. Stolen from the Old Summer Palace by British and French forces during the Second Opium War in 1860, the two heads’ sale provoked controversial international debate, inspiring a Chinese national to bid upon the bronzes at auction and refuse payment. In June of 2013, François-Henri Pinault, owner of Christie’s, returned to China the fountainheads in an effort to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations between France and China.No publisherAntiquity/antiquitésAd hoc facilitator/facilitateur ad hocState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsPierre BergéSpoils of war/butins de guerreChina/ChineDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueDonationFinancial compensation/indemnisationNegotiation/négociationUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriété2013/08/09 10:50:00 GMT+1PageChagall Gouache – Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Lubell
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-chagall-gouache-2013-solomon-r-guggenheim-foundation-and-lubell
In 1993, the Guggenheim Foundation, Mrs. Rachel Lubell, and other interested parties reached a settlement regarding a Marc Chagall painting that had been stolen from the Museum and purchased by Mrs. Lubell almost thirty years prior. Though a trial court had originally held the Guggenheim’s suit seeking recovery was time-barred, the Appellate Division reversed the lower court’s decision and clarified New York’s “demand and refusal” rule. On remand, the parties settled just one day after the new trial began.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelRepurchase/rachatRachel and Jules LubellUnited States/États-UnisNegotiation/négociationThe Solomon R. Guggenheim FoundationStatute of limitation/prescriptionDue diligencePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Ownership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceArtwork/oeuvre d’artFinancial compensation/indemnisationJudicial decision/décision judiciaireTort /acte illiciteProcedural issue/limites procédurales2013/08/27 15:25:00 GMT+1PageThree Grosz Paintings – Grosz Heirs v. Museum of Modern Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/three-grosz-paintings-2013-grosz-heirs-v-museum-of-modern-art
In April of 2009, after a decade-long search for artworks lost during Nazi persecution, George Grosz’s legal heirs brought action against the Museum of Modern Art, seeking declaration of title and replevin as to three of the artist’s paintings in the Museum’s possession, and requesting damages for their unlawful conversion. Holding that the action was time-barred by the statute of limitations, the District Court granted the museum’s motion to dismiss. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York affirmed the order on appeal, and the United States Supreme Court denied the Heirs’ writ of certiorari.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireGeorge GroszRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artJudicial claim/action en justiceProcedural issue/limites procéduralesNegotiation/négociationUnited States/États-UnisStatute of limitation/prescriptionNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéTort /acte illicite2013/08/30 08:50:00 GMT+1PageElmali Hoard – Turkey and OKS Partners
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/elmali-hoard-2013-turkey-and-oks-partners
In 1999, OKS Partners, a consortium comprised of, among others, the American businessman William Koch, returned to Turkey nearly 1700 ancient coins. The coins were part of the Elmali Hoard, a precious and rare collection of ancient coins, also called the “Hoard of the Century,” that had been illegally excavated and smuggled out of Turkey in 1984. No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionNegotiation/négociationArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueStatute of limitation/prescriptionOwnership/propriétéJudicial claim/action en justiceOKS PartnersPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Illicit excavation/fouille illiciteTurkey/Turquie2013/10/18 10:55:00 GMT+1PageSt. Agatha Statue – St. Martin’s Church and Private Person
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/st-agatha-statue-2013-st-martin2019s-church-and-private-person
In November 2012, Sotheby’s offered at auction a meter-tall statue of St. Agatha, by the Dutch sculptor Jan van Steffieswert (1465-1530). It was stolen in 1976 from St. Martin’s Church, in Gronsveld, the Netherlands.No publisherCriminal offence/infraction pénaleSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArtwork/oeuvre d’artSymbolic gesture/geste symboliquePrivate person/personne privéeDue diligenceMediation/médiationRepurchase/rachatSt. Martin’s ChurchPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriété2015/02/09 11:15:00 GMT+1PageDancing Shiva Statue – India and National Gallery of Australia
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/dancing-shiva-statue-2013-india-and-national-gallery-of-australia
In 2006, New York art dealer Subhash Kapoor arranged the theft and illegal exportation of a 900-year old bronze statue of the Dancing Shiva from a small temple in Southern India. In 2008, the National Gallery of Australia bought the statue for AUD$5.6 million.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970DeaccessionNegotiation/négociationSubhash KapoorIndia/IndeAntiquity/antiquitésDue diligenceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteCriminal offence/infraction pénaleDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueNational Gallery of Australia2015/02/16 18:55:00 GMT+1PageOn the Shore of the Seine – United States v. Baltimore Museum of Art
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/on-the-shore-of-the-seine-2013-united-states-of-america-v-baltimore-museum-of-art
In 1951, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s painting “On the shore of the Seine” was stolen from the Baltimore Museum of Art in the United States. Over fifty years later, Marcia Fuqua bought this painting for US $7 at a flea market and tried to auction it off after learning of its value. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireBaltimore Museum of ArtArtwork/oeuvre d’artUnited States/États-UnisDue diligenceJudicial claim/action en justiceUnconditional restitution/restitution sans conditionMarcia FuquaPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 1970Ownership/propriété2015/02/17 18:15:00 GMT+1PageThe Night Café Painting – Morozov Heirs v. Yale University
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/the-night-cafe-painting-2013-morozov-heirs-v-yale-university
In 1908, Ivan Morozov, a Russian art collector, purchased Van Gogh’s painting “The Night Café”. The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution led to the nationalization of private property, and as such Morozov’s art collection was confiscated and subsequently sold. No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireIvan MorozovRequest denied/rejet de la demandeArtwork/oeuvre d’artExpropriationAct of StateDue diligenceJudicial claim/action en justiceYale UniversityPre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Procedural issue/limites procéduralesOwnership/propriété2015/02/25 10:55:00 GMT+1PageChrist and the Samaritan Woman at the Well – Gross-Eisenstädt Heirs and Museum de Fundatie
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/christ-and-the-samaritan-woman-2013-gross-eisenstadt-heirs-and-museum-de-fundatie
In 1933, Jewish businessman and art collector Richard Semmel was forced to leave Berlin and sell parts of his art collection for economic survival. Among the works was the Italian painting Christ and the Samaritan Woman at the Well, which was bought by Dirk Hannema, a Dutch museums director. Since 1964, the painting has been in the Museum de Fundatie, which Hannema founded and to which he donated the painting. No publisherSymbolic gesture/geste symboliqueNegotiation/négociationRequest denied/rejet de la demandeInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelGross-Eisenstädt HeirsArtwork/oeuvre d’artOwnership/propriétéRichard SemmelNazi looted art/spoliations naziesMuseum de FundatieLegacy/legs2015/03/03 18:35:00 GMT+1PageRoad to Calvary – Oppenheimer Heirs and Private Person
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/road-to-calvary-2013-oppenheimer-heirs-and-private-person
In 1935, Nazi authorities took from Jakob and Rosa Oppenheimer a painting entitled “Road to Calvary” by Brunswijker Monogrammist and sold it at auction. The painting resurfaced in 2006 when a Dutch private individual brought it to Sotheby’s determined to sell it. Instead of asking for the painting’s restitution, the Oppenheimer heirs demanded a portion of the sale’s proceeds. The Dutch Restitutions Committee issued a binding opinion on the matter, as requested by the parties.No publisherSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelArtwork/oeuvre d’artInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelPrivate person/personne privéeDue diligenceSale/venteNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéJakob and Rosa Oppenheimer2012/11/19 09:50:00 GMT+1Page15 Archaeological Objects – Italy and Princeton University Art Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/15-archaeological-objects-2013-italy-and-princeton-university-art-museum-1
The Italian Government and the Princeton University Art Museum signed an agreement on 30 October 2007 that resolved the question of ownership of 15 archaeological objects in the Museum’s collection. This accord was the culmination of negotiations that were initiated by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities following the discovery of substantial evidence demonstrating the illicit provenance of the requested antiquities.No publisherOwnership/propriétéIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteSettlement agreement/accord transactionnelConditional restitution/restitution sous conditionCultural cooperation/coopération culturelleNegotiation/négociationDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiqueArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueLoan/prêtDue diligencePrinceton University Art MuseumIllicit excavation/fouille illiciteItaly/ItalieProcedural issue/limites procéduralesPost 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution post 19702012/11/20 16:30:00 GMT+1PageVictorious Youth – Italy v. J. Paul Getty Museum
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/victorious-youth-2013-italy-v-j-paul-getty-museum
The “Victorious Youth” – a life-size bronze statue created sometime between the 4th and 2nd century BC – is at the centre of an ongoing dispute between Italy and the J. Paul Getty Museum. This statue was discovered in 1964, caught up in the nets of a fishing boat working out of the port of Fano on the Adriatic coast of Italy.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireOngoing dispute/litige en coursItaly/ItalieJ. Paul Getty MuseumEnforcement of foreign law/applicabilité du droit public étrangerDue diligenceIllicit exportation/exportation illiciteArchaeological object/objet archéologiqueJudicial claim/action en justiceDiplomatic channel/voie diplomatiquePre 1970 restitution claims/demandes de restitution pre 1970Negotiation/négociationChoice of law/droit applicableProcedural issue/limites procéduralesIllicit importation/importation illiciteOwnership/propriété2013/04/02 15:55:00 GMT+1PageGuelph Treasure – Alan Philipp, Gerald G. Stiebel and Jed R. Leiber v. Germany and Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation
https://plone.unige.ch/art-adr/cases-affaires/case-guelph-treasure-2013-alan-philipp-gerald-g-stiebel-and-jed-r-leiber-v-germany-and-prussian-cultural-heritage-foundation-1
A collection of medieval ecclesiastical art is claimed by the heirs of three Jewish dealers, who allege that the collection was sold under duress during the Nazi era. After an unsuccessful conciliation in front of Germany’s Advisory Commission, the claim is being litigated before the courts of the United States. On 3 February 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favour of Germany on the interpretation of the expropriation exception in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.No publisherJudicial decision/décision judiciaireOngoing dispute/litige en coursGermany/AllemagneConciliationArtwork/oeuvre d’artState immunity/immunité des EtatsExpropriationInstitutional facilitator/facilitateur institutionnelGerald G. StiebelJudicial claim/action en justiceAlan PhilippJed R. LeiberJurisdiction/conflit de jurisdictionState responsibility/responsabilité internationale des EtatsPrussian Cultural Heritage FoundationNazi looted art/spoliations naziesOwnership/propriétéNegotiation/négociation2021/06/28 10:20:00 GMT+1Page